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Immigration Bill Will Cost $3.6 Trillion, Says Conservative Think Tank

But others on the right are pushing back against the claim

Heritage Foundation reading material, free for the taking • Facebook

A new Heritage Foundation study claims that the economic impact of the so-called "Gang of Eight" immigration bill that'd make 11 million currently illegal immigrants legit would cost a hefty $6.3 trillion, reports FOX.

Social Security, Medicaid, food stamps and other assorted forms of state aid would cost taxpayers dearly, says the conservative think tank, if such a large number of folks became eligible to receive them as a result of the immigration overhaul.

"No matter how you slice it, amnesty will add a tremendous amount of pressure on America's already strained public purse," said Heritage research fellow Robert Rector. "Those who claim that amnesty will not create a large fiscal burden are simply in a state of denial concerning the underlying redistributional nature of government policy."

The study has been accused, however, by libertarians and even some fellow conservatives of neglecting economic gains in favor of more obvious costs to the state. Anti-tax guru Grover Norquist called the study's numbers "vastly overblown," while the American Enterprise Institute's Madeline Zavodny claimed the data overlooked the awesome expense of any alternative plan, such as mass deportation. Via FOX and Business Insider.

Do you think the costs of an immigration overhaul outweigh the benefits?

Vote and/or weigh in here: http://politix.topix.com/homepage/5935-heritage-foundation-claims-3-6-trillion-price-tag-for-immigration-bill

Here are some comments already posted:

Heavy-Fed

I am an anti-racism activist... and even I can see the folly of amnesty. It will do nothing but add to the flow of illegal immigration... as it probably is already just on the chance that America will be making citizens of them all. If I were living in Mexico... and I thought I had a chance of becoming a US Citizen... you can bet I'd be hoping that border. I think the only logical way of dealing with illegal immigration is to give them all a time period to exit the country... and then start locking them up and making use of all the Fema camps and put them to work. If they want to come here illegally to work... put them to work for .30 cents an hour in a camp for a year then deport them... if they come back... give them 2 years of the same. Keep adding a year every time they return... and I bet you that flow of illegal immigration cuts down very quickly. We also should be fining the companies and corporations who employ them and entice them to come here for better paying jobs.

BUT... we should also be prepared to pay more for goods and services as a result of that... but it would not be near the expense we as a country are facing because of them.

MadAmerican

I have learned that whatever the government says something cost, triple it and you have the true cost because this administration doesn't have an effin clue on the cost of anything.

AntiPorcheria

From the story: "...would cost a hefty $6.3 trillion,"

From the headline: "...Claims $3.6 Trillion..."

Lots of water between those two shores.

GvtMule

Has anyone ever considered the Mexican governments role in this? It has completely failed it people to the point it's citizens are forced to leave their homes and move here. Why doesn't anyone ever question them about their violation of human rights?
Mexico has the natural resources to be a very wealthy nation. Instead we are saddled with the cost of taking care of Mexico's problem.

twinertia

You're missing a BIG reason on the Mexican government's end: religion.

The country is overwhelmingly Catholic, and the church's stance has always been one of a borderless society.

ctc

Guess I'm old-fashioned but......if they want the benefits of being American citizens they need to go home and have their country apply for statehood.
- B4 • Vote Up r3 Replies
ZombieMedic

Right! They need to fix their own country and make it better to live in, instead of coming here and just destroying this one as well. Mexico has the opportunity to become a wealthy and prosperous nation, especially since they are booming in certain areas due to NAFTA. They just need to get a more independent attitude and get their corruption under control, instead of bringing the corruption here.
twinertia

Seriously interesting! With everything we've had in common throughout the years, I've often wondered why Mexico wouldn't entertain a merger offer from America. The benefits could be staggering.
Real4WheelDrv

@twinertia Maybe they're worried about losing their heritage/cultural identity. I dunno why that would be, because generally we go out of our way to celebrate every aspect of our mix of cultures, and especially along our southern border not much would change as it is. Perhaps it's a pride thing, maybe joining us would be considered admitting defeat, or maybe its people are so beaten down by crime and its officials are so corrupt that no one would ever propose it or vote for it.